as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
we were disheartened by the news that our grandmother was seriously ill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in despair
the state of being discouraged
our excusable disheartenment in the face of overwhelming odds against winning the game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dishearten
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
If that is what our cops are hearing and no one steps up to say otherwise, that can be disheartening.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Still, hearing that it was recommended was disheartening for Laird.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Listening to naysayers in Congress twist themselves into pretzels condemning the ayatollah and his brutal repressive regime, but offering no solutions whatsoever, has been disheartening.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Verb
Spoelstra was most disheartened by the defense.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026
If that is what our cops are hearing and no one steps up to say otherwise, that can be disheartening.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Still, hearing that it was recommended was disheartening for Laird.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Listening to naysayers in Congress twist themselves into pretzels condemning the ayatollah and his brutal repressive regime, but offering no solutions whatsoever, has been disheartening.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dishearten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dishearten
Verb
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And in recent years, the teams have been deployed to discourage fare-skipping on local buses as well.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Over time, patterns like these have discouraged Black residents from looking into buying a home, said Shelia Russell-Williams, president of the Real Estate Brokers of Baltimore.—
Lily Carey,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The play charts his despair and hope, as well as his unlikely romance with a prison volunteer (Tessa Thompson).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Denials, appeals and habeas corpus Juan and Donovan’s emotions swing wildly between hope and despair, depending on the day.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The letter was about a 50-year-old who was frustrated that a 70-year-old friend didn’t pick up the phone when called.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Bianco grew visibly frustrated several times over the debate’s format and his opponents’ answers.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To add to their dismay, there isn’t much technological difference between the Connect and the Port.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Outside state lines, the perception of The Big D aligns with the eponymous prime time soap opera saga, often mistaking the Stockyards as within city limits (much to neighboring Fort Worth’s dismay).—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dishearten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dishearten. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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